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West Ham teammates Tomas Soucek and Mads Hermansen faced off in a World Cup qualification play-off on Tuesday.
The Czech Republic and Denmark met at the Epet Arena in Prague with plane tickets to the United States and Mexico on the line.
Here is how Soucek got the better of Hermansen and helped Czechia qualify for the World Cup this summer.
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Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images Tomas Soucek’s Czechia defeat Mads Hermansen’s Denmark in World Cup play-off
The Czech Republic advanced to the World Cup play-off by defeating Ireland on penalties last Thursday, while Denmark thrashed North Macedonia 4-0.
The two teams then met for the decider on Tuesday, with Soucek lining up in midfield for Czechia and Hermansen in goal for Denmark.
West Ham-linked Pavel Sulc put the home side in front with an incredible volley after just three minutes, but Denmark equalised with less than 20 minutes to go.
The match finished 1-1 after 90 minutes and went to extra time, with both teams scoring another goal each, setting up a penalty shootout.
Former Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund missed Denmark’s first penalty, immediately putting them on the back foot.
Photo by Sebastian Widmann – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Hermansen made a crucial save to deny Czechia captain Ladislav Krejci, but he did not receive much help from his Denmark teammates.
The visitors scored just one of their four penalties, as Soucek was one of three players to beat Hermansen from the spot.
The Czech Republic will now head to their first World Cup since 2006, with Mexico, South Africa and South Korea as their group A opponents.
Soucek will undoubtedly play an integral role for his nation, while Hermansen will have to wait another four years for his chance.
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